How do I choose a financial planner for retirement?

Finding the right person or a financial advisory firm to help with your retirement planning might take some effort, but the effort is worth it. Financial advisors might have different specializations, look for one who has had past experience in retirement planning. Also, this could translate to a long - term relationship, so it's important to find someone whom you like, trust and respect

How do I know if my financial advisor is a fiduciary?

A fiduciary is any person or firm who acts on behalf of another individual or firm to manage their assets. Fiduciary financial advisors provide their client the highest quality of care while maintaining 'good faith', meaning they wouldn't act in favor of anyone else's interests, including their own. The best way to be certain that a financial advisor is a fiduciary is to simply ask.

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Find Top Financial Advisors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Q: What does a financial advisor do?

Financial advisors help their client by providing financial advice and strategy to build wealth and eliminate risk. They assess the client's risk appetite, their unique needs and requirements, their short-term and long-term goals and guide them towards adopting the right financial plan, retirement plan, estate plan or education plan etc. as necessary. Learn more about the roles & benefits of a financial advisor.

Q: Is it worth paying for a financial advisor?

Financial advisors strategize financial planning and help you make the right decision about your investments. They weigh the pros and cons, and are breast with the latest industry updates regarding tax issues and investment vehicles. These valuable insights guide you to make investments that meet your financial requirements and goals such as buying a house, education, having a baby or securing your retirement.

Q: What is the difference between a financial planner and a financial advisor?

A financial advisor is any person who helps their client manage their money by giving valuable investment insights to help financial decision making. A financial planner is also a financial advisor but specializes in creating comprehensive plans for their clients to match their specific goals

Q: When should I hire a financial advisor?

A financial advisor can help you manage your finances especially when you don't have the time to do it yourself or when there are major changes in your life, such as getting married or having a baby. Even if you've managed your investment on your own, the best financial planners can vet your plan and assess it from a different perspective, to add surety to your decisions.

Q: How do I choose the right financial advisor?

While choosing a financial planner to help you with your investment decisions, it's important to do some spadework. Meet different consultants and compare and contrast their advice. Pick up clues that demonstrate their experience and integrity. It is also important to verify the credentials of an independent financial planner before making a decision.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was at the epicenter of the forming of the United States of America by contributing to the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution as well as the writing of the famous Gettysburg Address. This Keystone State currently has a cost of living that is 1% higher than the national average that makes it considered one of the most livable cities in the US as well. If you are looking for a financial advisor in this city, it may be a little difficult to decide who to hire from amongst the 1720 or more licensed financial advisors practicing in Pittsburgh. WiserAdvisor prescreens advisors based on their years of experience, credentials and standing with FINRA and the SEC and provides you with a list to interview and choose from, thereby saving you time and providing you with some peace of mind. Our mission is to help people like you find an advisor to work with your specific financial needs in mind.

We have been in business for the last 2 decades and constantly update and maintain a highly trusted directory of vetted fiduciary advisors that meet rigorous standards. You need a financial advisor who will understand your specific financial situation, and has the relevant financial qualifications in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

How To Find Trusted Financial Advisors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh has 4 WiserAdvisor vetted Financial Planners and Advisors on the online list below for you to choose from. These financial advisors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have an average of 34 years of experience.

NOTE: The list of vetted financial advisors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania mentioned below does not include all the advisors in our network due to their compliance listing restrictions. More vetted advisors may be available when you use our free match service to compare financial advisors near you in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Qualified Financial Advisors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

VETTED

Financial Advisor	Experience	AUM	Minimum Assets	Fee Structure
Steven SchaeferOppenheimer1501 Reedsdale St, Cardello BuildingPittsburgh, PA 15233	35 Years	Not Specified	Not Specified	Fee-Based
Michael MarionCFP^®Marion Wealth Management2790 Mosside BlvdMonroeville, PA 15146	34 Years	$482,000,000	Not Specified	Fee-Based
Edelman Financial Engines, LLC1605 Carmody Court, Building IVSewickley, PA 15143 945 Windham CourtBoardman, OH 44512	N/A	$314,000,000,000	Not Specified	Fee-Only

Financial Advisor

Steven SchaeferOppenheimer1501 Reedsdale St, Cardello BuildingPittsburgh, PA 15233

Experience35 Years

AUMNot Specified

Minimum AssetsNot Specified

Fee StructureFee-Based

Financial Advisor

Michael MarionCFP^®Marion Wealth Management2790 Mosside BlvdMonroeville, PA 15146

Experience34 Years

AUM$482,000,000

Minimum AssetsNot Specified

Fee StructureFee-Based

Financial Advisor

Edelman Financial Engines, LLC

1605 Carmody Court, Building IVSewickley, PA 15143

945 Windham CourtBoardman, OH 44512

ExperienceN/A

AUM$314,000,000,000

Minimum AssetsNot Specified

Fee StructureFee-Only

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Information on Qualified Financial Advisors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

VETTED

Steven Schaefer

Oppenheimer

About Steven Schaefer

Steven Schaefer is a Senior Director-Investments and Financial Advisor with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With more than three decades of experience in the financial services industry, he works with individuals, families, corporate executives, and businesses to align investment and insurance strategies with each client's goals. He holds FINRA series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations and is licensed to do business in numerous states across the country.

About Oppenheimer

As an Oppenheimer Financial Professional I align each client's unique goals, values, and needs with holistic planning and design of investment and insurance strategies. I use an in-depth discovery process that leads to a true understanding of each client's specific situation, time horizon, and risk tolerance. I focus on growing and protecting the assets of high net worth clients (individuals, families, corporate executives, and businesses), including leveraging the resources and leadership at Oppenheimer to help clients pursue goals and solve complex financial issues.

Advisory Services Provided

Financial Planning, Portfolio Management, Wealth Management, Financial Planning for Individuals, Financial Planning for Businesses, Investment Advice & Management, Insurance Products & Annuities

Qualifications

CRD# 2125180 Firm CRD# 249Series 7, 63, 65

Compensation/Fee

Fee-Based, Commissions, Based on Assets

Office Location

1501 Reedsdale St, Cardello Building,Suite 105,Pittsburgh,PA 15233

Phone Number

724-321-0058

VETTED

Michael MarionCFP^®

Marion Wealth Management

About Michael Marion

Michael Marion, CFP®, leads the Marion Wealth Management Group with over thirty years of experience in providing investment planning, asset management, and risk management services to individuals and small businesses.

Mike holds a BA in Humanities from the University of Pittsburgh and has completed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ Professional Education Program from the College of Financial Planning. Mike has held the CFP® designation since passing the CFP® board examination in July 2001.

Mike lives in Murrysville, Pennsylvania with his wife Katie, their three children, and the family's Chessie Retriever. Mike's interests include the outdoors, hiking, racquetball, reading, and spending time with his family.

About Marion Wealth Management

Marion Wealth Management is an independent, fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm located on the Eastern edge of Monroeville, near the intersections of 376 East, the PA Turnpike, Business Route 22 and Route 48.

Our focus is on developing highly effective financial strategies for retirees, affluent families, and small business owners. Our wealth management services include: retirement and income management, portfolio analysis and optimization, asset protection strategies, wealth and estate transfer planning, executive financial services, and business retirement services, including pension and 401(k) plan management.

Our firm's goal is to allow clients to enjoy the personalized service and attention offered by a private wealth management firm, while at the same time enjoying the value of independent advice that puts clients first. We believe what sets us apart is that our focus is you. Our private wealth and investment services offer you fee-based, advice-driven investment solutions customized to fit your needs by utilizing the very best tools, technology, and research.

Qualifications

CRD# 2076025 Firm CRD# 315730Series 63, 65

Compensation/Fee

Fee-Based, Flat Fee, Based on Assets

Office Location

2790 Mosside Blvd,Suite 640,Monroeville,PA 15146

Phone Number

412-372-3849

VETTED

Edelman Financial Engines, LLC

About Edelman Financial Engines, LLC

Get a free financial plan

What if you didn't need to be ultra-wealthy for personal, top-to-bottom financial guidance and investment advice? Since 1986, we've helped millions of people get the ball rolling on their financial plans — with straightforward guidance built around their story and where they're headed next. Today, we're proud to be one of America's top independent investment advisory firms as ranked by Barron's (awarded September 2025, based on prior 12-month data through June 30), with nearly 1.25 million clients and more than $314 billion assets under management (as of March 31, 2026) — and prouder still of the trust clients place in us.

The Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms list, an annual ranking of independent advisory firms, is based on qualitative and quantitative criteria. Firms elect to participate but do not pay to be included in the ranking.

Qualifications

Firm CRD# 104510

Compensation/Fee

Fee-Only, Based on Assets

Office Locations

1605 Carmody Court, Building IV,Suite 100,Sewickley,PA 15143Phone Number877-208-7414

945 Windham Court,Suite 2,Boardman,OH 44512Phone Number877-208-7414

WiserAdvisor Reviews

Note: The client testimonials appearing above may not necessarily be representative of all client experiences with WiserAdvisor. You may click on the number of total reviews hyperlinked above to review the entirety of the reviews WiserAdvisor has received. WiserAdvisor did not pay any compensation in consideration of such reviews.

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FINRA/SEC Registered Advisors

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Top Financial Advisory Firms in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is home to several reputable financial advisory firms specializing in multiple advisory services such as investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, tax strategies, and risk management.

Most firms in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are registered with the SEC and follow a fiduciary standard. This means that they are legally obligated to act in the best interest of their clients. Being part of one of the largest and most diverse financial advisory markets in the country, the firms are well-versed in serving individuals and businesses with complex financial needs.

Methodology

To identify the top financial advisors and advisory firms in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, all SEC-registered firms based in the city were first identified. Each firm was subsequently assessed based on the number of clients and affiliated advisors, AUM, fee structure, and the range of advisory services they provide. The associated advisors and firms were then ranked according to the following criteria:

AUM:Firms are ranked based on the size of their AUM, with those having larger AUMs being ranked higher.

Number of Clients:Firms catering primarily to individual clients were ranked higher.

Fee Structure:Firms employing a fee-only compensation structure are ranked higher.

Age of Firm:Established firms with proven longevity are ranked higher.

Clients per Advisor:Firms having a lower client-to-advisor ratio are ranked higher.

Advisory Services Offered:Firms offering a broad range of advisory services are ranked higher.

Please note: All information is sourced from publicly available records and updated once a year, ensuring any changes in credentials, services, or regulatory status are reflected and up to date. Firms are selected and ranked independently, according to the criteria described above.

WiserAdvisor features the firms listed above in the 'Top Advisory Firms' section based on objective criteria, without any influence from existing affiliations. No firm receives preferential treatment due to any relationship with WiserAdvisor.


VANGUARD GROUP INCMalvern, PA	980	209	$7,909,760,294,676	A percentage of AUM, Other (ALLOCATED SHARE OF VANGUARD'S TOTAL COST OF OPERATIONS)
FEDERATED INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANYPittsburgh, PA	101	80	$501,645,588,245	A percentage of AUM, Other (ADDITIONAL FEES BASED ON GROSS INCOME.)
VANGUARD GLOBAL ADVISERS, LLCMalvern, PA	262	153	$432,749,681,046	A percentage of AUM
SEI INVESTMENTS MANAGEMENT CORPOaks, PA	411	93301	$194,796,322,013	A percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based
MACQUARIE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT BUSINESS TRUSTPhiladelphia, PA	657	377	$190,960,333,268	A percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based
FEDERATED INVESTMENT COUNSELINGPittsburgh, PA	215	7838	$185,452,168,971	A percentage of AUM, Performance Based
HARTFORD FUNDSWayne, PA	384	77	$128,834,812,996	A percentage of AUM, Other (FEES RELATED TO 529 PLANS AND MODEL RECOMMENDATIONS.)
HAMILTON LANEConshohocken, PA	656	193	$124,406,091,995	A percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based
LINCOLN FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS CORPORATIONRadnor, PA	124	129	$85,595,921,962	A percentage of AUM
BRANDYWINE GLOBAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLCPhiladelphia, PA	122	1060	$66,447,858,097	A percentage of AUM, Performance Based, Other (ASSET-BASED FEE FROM MODEL-ONLY RECIPIENTS)
PACER ADVISORS, INC.Malvern, PA	23	54	$46,063,913,101	A percentage of AUM
ABRDN INC.Philadelphia, PA	212	143	$36,395,031,982	A percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based, Other (REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES (PER PART 2A))
MORGAN STANLEY AIP GP LPWest Conshohocken, PA	187	191	$34,216,864,561	A percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based
PENN MUTUAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLCConshohocken, PA	33	40	$33,655,762,702	A percentage of AUM
EXETER PROPERTY GROUP, LLCRadnor, PA	227	14	$26,610,669,375	A percentage of AUM, Performance Based

Firm Name

VANGUARD GROUP INCMalvern, PA

No. of Advisors980

AUM$7,909,760,294,676

No. of Clients209

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Other (ALLOCATED SHARE OF VANGUARD'S TOTAL COST OF OPERATIONS)

Firm Name

FEDERATED INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANYPittsburgh, PA

No. of Advisors101

AUM$501,645,588,245

No. of Clients80

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Other (ADDITIONAL FEES BASED ON GROSS INCOME.)

Firm Name

VANGUARD GLOBAL ADVISERS, LLCMalvern, PA

No. of Advisors262

AUM$432,749,681,046

No. of Clients153

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM

Firm Name

SEI INVESTMENTS MANAGEMENT CORPOaks, PA

No. of Advisors411

AUM$194,796,322,013

No. of Clients93301

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based

Firm Name

MACQUARIE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT BUSINESS TRUSTPhiladelphia, PA

No. of Advisors657

AUM$190,960,333,268

No. of Clients377

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based

Firm Name

FEDERATED INVESTMENT COUNSELINGPittsburgh, PA

No. of Advisors215

AUM$185,452,168,971

No. of Clients7838

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Performance Based

Firm Name

HARTFORD FUNDSWayne, PA

No. of Advisors384

AUM$128,834,812,996

No. of Clients77

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Other (FEES RELATED TO 529 PLANS AND MODEL RECOMMENDATIONS.)

Firm Name

HAMILTON LANEConshohocken, PA

No. of Advisors656

AUM$124,406,091,995

No. of Clients193

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based

Firm Name

LINCOLN FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS CORPORATIONRadnor, PA

No. of Advisors124

AUM$85,595,921,962

No. of Clients129

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM

Firm Name

BRANDYWINE GLOBAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLCPhiladelphia, PA

No. of Advisors122

AUM$66,447,858,097

No. of Clients1060

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Performance Based, Other (ASSET-BASED FEE FROM MODEL-ONLY RECIPIENTS)

Firm Name

PACER ADVISORS, INC.Malvern, PA

No. of Advisors23

AUM$46,063,913,101

No. of Clients54

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM

Firm Name

ABRDN INC.Philadelphia, PA

No. of Advisors212

AUM$36,395,031,982

No. of Clients143

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based, Other (REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES (PER PART 2A))

Firm Name

MORGAN STANLEY AIP GP LPWest Conshohocken, PA

No. of Advisors187

AUM$34,216,864,561

No. of Clients191

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Fixed fees, Performance Based

Firm Name

PENN MUTUAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLCConshohocken, PA

No. of Advisors33

AUM$33,655,762,702

No. of Clients40

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM

Firm Name

EXETER PROPERTY GROUP, LLCRadnor, PA

No. of Advisors227

AUM$26,610,669,375

No. of Clients14

Fee StructureA percentage of AUM, Performance Based

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a financial advisor do?

Is it worth paying for a financial advisor?

What is the difference between a financial planner and a financial advisor?

When should I hire a financial advisor?

How do I choose the right financial advisor?